Crookston Police: BB gun looked a lot like an M-16 assault rifle

A report to the Crookston Police early this past Saturday morning of a man with an assault rifle turned out be a BB gun that was made to look like an M-16.

The man, Vashya Timothy Strande, 23, of Crookston was arrested for disorderly conduct, and police subsequently learned that an order for protection had been issued against him as well.

According to CPD Chief Tim Motherway, the call came in at 1:30 a.m. on March 30 of a man being Crooks Club with an assault rifle. A responding officer observed a man walking on Market Street behind the VFW with what appeared to be an M-16. The officer drew his weapon and issued verbal commands to the man, later identified as Strande, to drop the weapon. Strande complied and was taken into custody without incident.

Upon further inspection, the officer realized it was a BB gun. Two other BB handguns were found to be in Strande’s possession, along with BBs and carbon dioxide cartridges.

The investigation continues, and Motherway said further charges may be forthcoming.